Autopolis 400 Preview: Kurashio Leads the Pack and Chloe's Farewell the Focus

Autopolis, Kyushu, 20 January — The 2024-25 Hololive GT3 Japan Series Qualifiers roar into Round 3 this weekend, as the high-altitude Autopolis International Racing Course prepares to host the Autopolis 400. With two heart-stopping rounds behind us, the battle for coveted Tsuyo Series qualification is heating up across both Split A and Split B grids. Split A’s dominant force, Rustim Kurashio (La+ Darknesss, Nissan), remains the man to beat, having scored back-to-back wins at SUGO and Okayama. With a commanding 400 points, Kurashio’s precision driving and strategic acumen make him the heavy favorite to claim a hat trick this weekend. However, Autopolis presents its own unique challenges, with its hilly terrain and technical corners demanding adaptability and consistency.

Chasing Kurashio is Rim Elgore (Oozora Subaru, Lexus), whose solid second-place finishes in the first two rounds have kept him in close contention. While Elgore has shown consistent speed, he needs a breakthrough victory at Autopolis to seriously challenge Kurashio for the top spot.

Tamoyuki Aoki (Takane Lui, Nissan) also enters the spotlight after securing her first-ever podium at Okayama. Aoki's improved form demonstrates Nissan's depth in talent this season, making her a serious contender for another strong finish. Meanwhile, Zeke Wimberley (Shirakami Fubuki, Nissan) looks to bounce back after a disappointing Okayama result saw him drop crucial points in the standings.

For Sean Poly (Inugami Korone, Honda), Autopolis represents a critical opportunity to regain momentum. The Honda driver struggled at Okayama and will hope recent Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments, including upgraded engines and newly developed tires, can elevate his performance.

Split B will see emotions run high as Ri Liu (Sakamata Chloe, Nissan) embarks on his third-to-last race in Chloe’s livery. With Chloe’s streaming activities ending this January, Liu’s farewell tour adds a sentimental layer to the competition. After mixed fortunes in the first two rounds, Liu holds sixth place in the standings with 165 points, but he needs a standout performance at Autopolis to solidify his Tsuyo Series qualification hopes.

Tyler Williams (Amane Kanata, Nissan) continues to set the pace in Split B, having secured a win at SUGO and a top-five finish at Okayama. His consistency has given him a 68-point lead over his nearest rivals, but drivers like Lorenzo Ricci (Houshou Marine, Lexus) and Mohamed Khashiu (Tsunomaki Watame, Lexus) are closing in fast. Ricci’s emotional victory at Okayama has reinvigorated Lexus' campaign, while Khashiu’s second-place finish showcased his ability to challenge the front-runners.

Other key players include Joey (Juufuutei Raden, Lexus), whose first podium at Okayama marked him as a rising star, and Mohamed Shaqif Redza (Momosuzu Nene, Nissan), who looks to build on his steady progress and climb further into Tsuyo contention.

Honda teams enter Autopolis with renewed optimism following the announcement of BoP upgrades after underwhelming performances in the first two rounds. Improved engine output and more durable tires are expected to give Honda drivers like Sean Poly and Misaki Sakura (Himemori Luna) a competitive edge on Autopolis’ demanding layout.

Both drivers will need strong results this weekend to turn their seasons around. Poly, in particular, faces mounting pressure as his struggles at Okayama dropped him closer to the Zako Series cutoff. Misaki Sakura, who finished 15th after a fueling error in Round 2, has vowed to put her bad luck behind her and fight for valuable points.

With only a limited number of spots available for the elite Tsuyo Series, every point counts as drivers look to secure their place. In Split A, the top 10 drivers are still within striking distance of qualification, but mid-pack competitors like Saerin (Otonose Kanade, Ferrari) and Alticer Antanarau (Nekomata Okayu, Nissan) are making their presence felt. Saerin’s bold no-stop strategy at Okayama earned her a career-best fourth-place finish, moving her to eighth in the standings, while Antanarau’s first top-10 result since 2023 has reignited his campaign.

In Split B, the fight for the top spots remains just as fierce. Tyler Williams holds the advantage, but the likes of Ricci, Khashiu, and Liu are closing the gap, while drivers like Daniel Barguer (Lamy) and Ho Phu-My (AZKi) remain on the bubble. For Raijin Kacyznski (Yuzuki Choco, Lexus), a disastrous Okayama outing leaves him needing a strong rebound to escape Zako territory.

The Autopolis International Racing Course, nestled in the mountains of Kyushu, is notorious for its high-altitude conditions and unforgiving layout. With a mix of tight hairpins, sweeping corners, and elevation changes, drivers must strike a delicate balance between aggression and precision. The long back straight into Turn 6 presents a prime overtaking opportunity, while the tight final sector demands total concentration to avoid costly mistakes.

Tire degradation and fuel strategy will be critical, especially with the race lengthened to 400 km. Teams will need to carefully manage their resources to ensure they can fight for position in the closing stages.

What to Watch For

• Kurashio’s Quest for Three: Can the La+ Darknesss star extend his unbeaten run and maintain his grip on the championship?

• Honda’s Resurgence: Will the BoP changes finally allow Honda teams to compete for podiums?

• Liu’s Farewell Drama: Can Ri Liu deliver a memorable performance in his final races for Chloe?

• Midfield Momentum: Saerin, Antanarau, and others aim to capitalize on recent strong results to climb the standings.

As the engines roar to life this weekend, the Autopolis 400 promises yet another thrilling encounter in the Hololive GT3 Japan Series Qualifiers. Whether it’s the continuation of Kurashio’s dominance, the rise of new challengers, or the emotional swansong of Ri Liu's oshi Chloe, fans can expect high-speed drama and unforgettable moments as the path to the Tsuyo Series comes into sharper focus.